The Republican Party, which held a 12-7 edge in the Legislature going into the election, came out of it with what appeared to be a 13-4 majority, crushing Democratic hopes of taking control of the law-making body for the first time in three decades.

Two Republican victories were not mathematical certainties, however. Their outcomes will depend on absentee ballots.

With the Legislature shrinking from 19 members to 17 members and eight incumbents leaving Jan. 1, Democrats had hoped to at least narrow the gap with Republicans. It did not work out that way.

“The Republican Party is alive and well in Onondaga County,” said Tom Dadey, Republican Party county chairman.

In the tightest race, Republican Legislator Judith Tassone finished with a 31-vote lead on former Legislator David Stott in the 4th District. There were 215 absentee ballots mailed to voters in the district and 132 absentee ballots returned. They won’t be counted until Nov. 17.

“I’ll feel better when they’re counted,” said Tassone, who unseated Stott by 138 votes two years ago.

In the 7th District, East Syracuse Mayor Danny Liedka, a Republican, finished 133 votes ahead of former East Syracuse Mayor Lorene Dadey, a Democrat. There were 285 absentee ballots mailed in the district, 210 of which were returned.

Van Buren Town Councilor Derek Shepard, a Republican, defeated 20-year Legislator Robert Warner and Democrat James Scaramuzzino for the 13th District seat. Warner, running on the Conservative line after his Republican primary loss to Shepard, finished third.

In uncontested races, Lysander Town Councilor Brian May, a Republican, was elected in the 1st District and five incumbents won re-election. The winning incumbent Republicans were John Dougherty in the 2nd District, Kathleen Rapp in the 5th District and Casey Jordan in the 14th District. The winning Democrats were Monica Williams in the 16th District and Linda Ervin in the 17th District.